The low-down on Wanderers' latest transfer recruit, Adam Le Fondre
A man who has proven himself to be lethal in front of goal throughout his career to date, Adam Le Fondre arrives at Wanderers boasting an impressive professional back catalogue spanning over ten years.
Born and raised in nearby Stockport, Le Fondre began his forge his way into the game with his local side Stockport County where he progressed up through the club’s Centre of Excellence youth system.
Going on to make his first team bow against Bury in 2004 – even marking his debut with a goal in a 3-1 victory over the Shakers – the striker then went on to impress during three seasons at Edgeley Park, scoring 20 goals in 73 appearances.
Towards the latter end of his time with County, Le Fondre enjoyed a brief loan spell with Rochdale where he proceeded to record an impressive tally of four goals in seven appearances for the League Two outfit – form which was enough to convince the club to sign him on a permanent basis in the summer of 2007.
Going on to become a key figure for Dale, the frontman averaged almost a goal every three games during two seasons at Spotland before swapping Rochdale for Rotherham in 2009, signing a three-year deal with the Millers.
Le Fondre’s impressive early exploits for Rotherham did not go unnoticed, with him scoring 25 goals in 44 outings during his first season at the club alongside being named in the League Two Team of the Year.
He hit similar form the following campaign, scoring four goals in a single game against Cheltenham Town in August 2010, but was to move onto pastures new the following summer with Reading his next destination.
Signing a three-year contract with the Royals, Le Fondre enjoyed a season to remember in his first year in Berkshire as Reading secured promotion to the Premier League as champions.
Although the Royals’ stay in the top flight was a brief one, the frontman still impressed in front of goal, notching 12 times for the club and being named as the Premier League’s Player of the Month for January before their return to the Championship.
Continuing his fine form in the second tier the following season, Le Fondre enjoyed one more year in the blue and white of Reading before swapping the Madejski Stadium for the Cardiff City Stadium last May following the expiration of his contract.
Having featured on 25 occasions so far for the Bluebirds during the current campaign, Le Fondre will now link up with the Whites for the remainder of the campaign.